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Tony is a 4-year old former stallion who was gelded roughly in September 2003. We met Tony at the Arthur sale, where there was a lot of confusion as to whether or not he was actually gelded. As a result, no one but the slaughter plant buyer showed interest in this handsome boy, other than us. We purchased Tony by outbidding the meat buyer, and brought him home, along with Merlin. Having spoken with his prior owner, we now know that Tony bred a total of 4 times, and he definitely still thought he was a stallion when he arrived at Crosswinds. His first 2 weeks have been focused upon introducing him to our alpha mare, Majesty, who has taught him manners in a big way (and has no interest whatsoever in his studlike behavior), and then to the other mares of the herd. Unfortunately, as Tony does still think he is a stallion, he is VERY aggressive to the geldings of the herd. When we attempted to acclimate Tony to the herd, he chased the other geldings through the fence and they literally ran a mile from home to get away from him. Tony is stalled away from the herd and is on Regumate (hormone therapy) for his first 60 days to help his body clear the testosterone as rapidly as possible. We are taking slow gradual steps toward reintroducing him to the herd, and hope that he will soon come to understand his new place as a gelding. Tony has no riding experience, but is making very nice progress with his ground work. He is no longer pushy on a lead line, and is easily saddled. He is still learning to understand the bit, and does not currently respond well to rein commands, but is starting to get the idea. Shown above is Tony's first experience with a rider, just starting to communicate the idea of reins to him gradually. Gerry is currently actively working with Tony in the round pen, laying extensive ground work before his riding training is continued in earnest. February '04 UPDATE: Tony has begun his under-saddle work as shown in the 3 photos above. The first is his first mounting; the second is Gerry on his first led ride; the third is Mike working Tony in the round pen for his first non-lead ride. March '04 UPDATE: Tony's transition into true gelding-hood is finally making huge strides. After several months of stall confinement and only occasion pasturing with geldings, Tony is now able to be in our pasture with the regular herd all except Miata. Due to Miata's fragile physical condition and their well-expressed hatred of one another, we continue to keep them separated, alternating which is pastured and which is stalled. (See Miata's page for notes on the significance of him being able to be stalled!) Please see the 2nd row far right photo for Tony pastured (close) with Sam and Merlin (far left, closest to shelter)! At this time, Tony is ready to be adopted to an experienced rider with immediate delivery, or to an early intermediate rider with an additional 30 days of riding training. May 04 update: Tony is adopted!! The Hickernell family have happily added Tony to their family, where he will be ridden by an experienced 13-year-old, Al, as well as Mom and eventually hopefully other family members as well! Tony is shown here in his new stall! |
